Pablo

Martin

Six golfers at 7-under-par 137 went to a playoff for five spots. As luck would have it, BMW PGA Championship winner, Simon Khan, was the odd man out, failing to birdie in sudden death. Martin survived the playoff along with Mikko Ilonen, Gregory Havret, Jean-Francois Lucquin and Rikard Karlberg. James Morrison was medalist at 11-under 133. Rafa Echenique (135) was the runner-up. Also advancing prior to the playoff were Rhys Davies, Gareth Maybin, Gary Boyd and Rafael Cabrera-Bello, all of whom completed 36 holes at 8-under 136. Thirteen sectional qualifiers in the United States are scheduled for June 7.

The 23-year-young Spaniard laid up from 175 yards on the par-5 72nd hole, settling for a tournament-clinching par and his first professional victory and second career on his tour. He was the first amateur to ever win on the Euro Tour in 2007 (Portugal Open). Martin had just one top-10 during the 2009 season and finished 118th in the Race to Dubai.

The twenty-year-old Spanard is the first amateur in European Tour history to win an event. The Oklahoma State University number one player said after his round that he wants to lead the Cowboys in the NCAA’s and won’t turn pro until this summer. He has fourteen days to reconsider if he wants, because if he does turn pro he will receive a 2 1/2 year exemption on the European Tour. The last amateur to win on the PGA Tour was Phil Mickelson at the 1991 Tucson Open.

The Spaniard circled five birdies, offset with just one bogey at Sheshan International today, finishing one back of the clubhouse lead. At the time he signed his card, all of the latest starters were on their second nines.

Martin shot 15-under-par 68-70-67-68=273 to share runner-up honors with former PGA TOUR member, David Lutterus. (Tommy Biershenk was the medalist at 18-under 270.) The 24-year-old Spaniard and former Oklahoma State Cowboy is a two-time winner on the European Tour. Along with all other survivors of the second stage, he will have some form of status on the PGA or Nationwide Tour next year. Others that survived at this site include Gary Woodland (275), Martin Flores (277), Jason Schultz (277), Carlos Franco (279) and Brian Vranesh (281). Among the notables to failed to advance include Kris Cox (283), Brenden Pappas (284), Brent Schwarzrock (284), Jaxon Brigman (285; sigh ... again), Brad Adamonis (286), Rod Pampling (287), Nick Flanagan (287), Tony Finau (287), Todd Hamilton (289), Kyle Reifers (289), Tom Scherrer (290) and Drew Weaver (290). Vance Veazey withdrew after 36 holes at 6-over 150.

Martin’s 11-under-par 277 was two better than Charl Schwartzel, Thorbjorn Olesen and 54-hole leader, Anthony Michael. It’s the Spaniard’s third victory on the European Tour. This comes on the heels of a withdrawal at PGA TOUR Q School a week ago. He was 6-over after three rounds when he called it quits. Martin is the first European Tour winner to repeat since Padraig Harrington at the 2008 PGA Championship.